The next morning Donghae woke up with an empty feeling in his stomach. It was still very dark outside, and he glanced at the clock and realized there were about three more hours until the other members would get up.

He dragged himself out of bed, hoping he could make his way to the kitchen soundlessly in case Hyukjae was sleeping on the couch.

He pulled the bedroom door open and nearly had a heart attack when he tripped over something and stumbled into the wall in front of him. He groaned and rubbed the sore spot on his forehead. Squinting his eyes to see in the dark, Donghae realized that Hyukjae was sleeping on the floor in front of their room.

On the floor?

The older male sat up and rubbed his eyes before gazing up at the brunet in the darkened hallway. "Donghae? Is that you?" he whispered.

"Y-yeah," Donghae responded without much thought.

"What are you doing up so early?" Hyukjae asked, a little bit louder this time.

"I was hungry."

Before he could even comprehend what was happening -- mostly because of how tired he was -- a strong pair of arms wrapped around his body and Donghae had to admit that he's missed Hyukjae's hugs, even though he just found out about everything yesterday.

Now it almost felt like Hyukjae's hugs were a scarce luxury, as if they weren't meant for the brunet and that Donghae should cherish each one he received from now on. Hyukjae had somebody else, after all.

"Baby I was worried about you," Hyukjae muttered in the younger's ear before placing a gentle kiss on Donghae's temple. "I came home late and you had the door locked, and you never answered my messages."

"I didn't mean to lock the door, it was an accident," the brunet lied, and tried not to think about how Hyukjae was gently rubbing his back in a loving manner. Does he even love me? "I must have fallen asleep before you messaged me."

Hyukjae nodded and led the brunet to the kitchen, turning on the light before heading to the fridge to make something for Donghae to eat. While the water in the pot started to boil, Hyukjae's phone rang and the blond was rather quick to answer it. He greeted whoever was calling and went into the living room. 

Donghae had only one guess as to who was calling him this early in the morning, and the thought made him grimace.

He paid no attention to the conversation, but his heart seemed to stop when he heard Hyukjae say "I love you" before hanging up the call. He had to will himself not to cry again.

The older sat down across from his boyfriend and noticed Donghae's expression. "Baby are you alright? You look very pale," he said, concern in his eyes, but Donghae couldn't believe it was real.

"I'm not feeling very well," the brunet said, but it wasn't a complete lie either. He stood up. "I think I need to go back to sleep."

Hyukjae stood up as well and took Donghae's hand, a bit surprised and somewhat shocked when the younger pulled away. "Let me lay with you, maybe I can --"

"No!" Donghae said abruptly. He chewed his lower lip and mentally cursed himself for his terrible acting. "I don't want to get you sick too."

Hyukjae sighed. "Alright." He watched Donghae turn and head back down the hallway towards their room but he called the brunet and he stopped. "Will you be okay for the concert tonight?" he asked worriedly.

Donghae shrugged. "I hope so." And with that, he shut and locked the door, barely able to take his mind off of Hyukjae.

He slept outside the room for the entire night? Was he really worried or did he just say he was?

Donghae frowned and flopped back down on his bed, cuddling his Nemo plushie close until he fell back asleep.

Hyukjae glanced sadly at the closed bedroom door. "Sleep well my love."

***

"Okay, is everyone ready to go?" Leeteuk asked, and all the members nodded, making sure they had everything they needed. "Good. First will be hair and makeup, then we will go straight to our dressing rooms and the concert should start soon after that. There will be about a thirty minute window in between to meet with the fans who have backstage passes. Everyone understand?" Again, the members nodded and they were soon all piled into the van and on the way to the a